ACE ARCHAEOLOGY CLUB is based in Mid Devon and dedicated to investigating and protecting Devon's Archæological Heritage.  The club is an active local group of people of all ages devoted to the promotion, use and investigation of all the many different types of archaeology, from surveying, experimental archæology, field walking, participation in excavations to archive research, from palaeolithic to more recent times.  The Club provides opportunities to meet others interested in archæology (including archaeologists), to visit sites of interest and to take part in practical and experimental archæology. The Club also provides tuition in archæological techniques such as surveying and recording, as well as the opportunity to participate in excavation work on Dartmoor.

         ACE (which stands for Archæology Club of Eggesford) is affiliated to the Council for British Archaeology and although based in the Mid Devon area, our interests, activities and membership (which includes amateurs and professionals) cover a larger area from Exmoor to Dartmoor.

         There are regular meetings and activities throughout the year, which include support for the following projects:

         ACE provides much of the organization and people for the Dartmoor Archaeology and Bracken Project under the direction of Sandy Garrard.  The project has been running since 1999 with volunteers and has been adopted by ACE since 2003.  The importance of the round house chosen for the Project has led to further surveys and projects on Dartmoor.  Full details are in the Bracken Project section, and can be reached by clicking BRACKEN PROJECT.

         ACE also provides the co-ordination, expertise and support for the Winkleigh House Scouts project.  This Lottery funded project encouraged residents to survey (with the help of ACE) and research the history of their houses.   ACE provides background research and, in co-ordination with Barnstaple Museum and North Devon Record Office, has pioneered the use of the HA2000 collections data base for recording the results of the project.  Although the initial funding period has successfully been completed, the work continues (such as the transcription of the Winkleigh Census returns) with further details in our HOUSE SCOUTS section.  Some of the results can also be seen on the Explore North Devon web site www.explorenorthdevon.org.

         ACE provides help and support to the Winkleigh Memorial Cross research project, which is a commemoration of those from Winkleigh who took part in the Great War. The initial pages of this ongoing project are here, starting on our WINKLEIGH MEMORIAL CROSS  page.  More information and pages will be added as they become available.

WHY JOIN ACE?

     ACE provides not only the possibility to discover more about archaeology, and the archaeology of Devon in particular, but also opportunities to learn and practice some of the many skills involved in archaeology and the past.  We set up practical archaeology days which cover activities ranging from building round houses, making and firing prehistoric pottery, iron smelting and silver work, tablet and basket weaving, flint knapping, as well as field walking, guided walks, visits, research, recording, surveying, even some excavation, and lots more.  Tuition is given where necessary, together with the occasional talk from experts.  There is a Newsletter four times a year, in which members may place articles and information for the benefit of everyone.
     Should you wish to join ACE, then go to our JOIN ACE page for more information or e-mail our membership secretary at
                  members@ACEarch.org.uk

     For general information, e-mail us at  ace@ACEarch.org.uk